Our history

Helping travellers discover the world since 1962...

It happened one night

In 1958, Geoffrey Kent, in a rebellious teenage mood, rode a motorbike from Nairobi to Cape Town. En route, he spent a night in the grandest hotel in Africa. It was his first-ever hotel stay. This one night had an indelible effect on the young man. As he recalls musing at the time: ‘Unpaved roads by day, fresh sheets and a spring mattress at night. Adventure by day, security and luxury at night. I could live like this forever.’

He unknowingly had just happened upon his future business’ ethos.

A&K was born

Abercrombie & Kent was born out of a love of Africa. In the early 1960s, Geoffrey Kent and his parents noticed the increasing numbers of intrepid tourists visiting East Africa. In 1962, while home in Kenya on leave from the British army, Geoffrey and his parents decided to found their own travel company. A&K would host safaris around their beloved home, Kenya, and beyond.

Africa & beyond

From day one, A&K has always strived to deliver experiences, not just ‘humble holidays’. With ground-breaking mobile refrigeration and the first luxurious tented camps in Africa, we revolutionised the travel industry in the early 1960s. We married adventure and extravagance. As we ventured farther afield in Africa, and then on into Egypt, Saudi Arabia and India in the 1970s, and later across the globe in the 1980s, we established our own ground offices in each destination and continued to offer the ultimate in luxury travel.

Exploring the globe

We are a heritage brand with thoroughly modern sensibilities. Founder Geoffrey Kent, now chairman and CEO, is part of our frontline exploration team. He interviews guides, scouts locations and continues to set the same high standards he and his parents established over half a century ago. This approach is embedded in our global offices and family of travel experts.

Present day, and beyond

Many travel companies have followed in the tracks we laid down, but A&K remains the original tailor-made, luxury holiday company – and still the best.